Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada maintained his record of perfect and punctual attendance of the First Regular Session of the Fifteenth Congress, as he did in previous years.

“I personally would not want to be absent from the plenary sessions of the Senate. As much as possible, I do not make any commitments like speaking engagements, out-of-town trips, etc. while our session is ongoing. It is my duty, as a duly-elected Senator, to be present during session days and participate in legislative deliberations,” Sen. Estrada asserted.Sen. Estrada also presides over plenary discussions, as when the Senate President is busy carrying out his other official duties as the leader of the Upper Chamber.

“Pro Tempore” is a Latin term meaning “for the time being.”

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile meanwhile went on official mission twice and on sick leave once.Along with Sen. Estrada, Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III also had a perfect attendance based on the 92 approved Journals readily accessible through the Senate official website (www.senate.gov.ph). Journals are published and approved by the Senate to keep a record of the proceedings and floor activities.

Rule 19 of the Rules of the Senate states that Journals shall contain “a list of Members who responded to the roll call, those who arrived at the session hall after the roll call, and those who are on official business/mission authorized by the Senate President... (and) those who are absent..."

The First Regular Session of the Fifteenth Congress has 95 session days starting from July 26, 2010, the same date of the first State of the Nation Address of President Noynoy Aquino.

Sen. Santiago has been marked “on sick leave” 54 times. Sen. Lacson has been “absent” for 79 plenary sessions. Sen. Trillanes has not been able to attend sessions for 49 times since he was then under detention.